[CoolCommunities] film on fossil fuels

[Nancy Farron]

Documentary Film Coal Country and Panel 
Discussion Friday, May 14th, Kennebunk Town Hall

 

            "Do You Know Where Your Energy Comes From?"--a presentation on issues relating to fossil fuel extraction and federal energy policy along with the showing of the documentary film Coal Country--will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday in Kennebunk Town Hall.  The event is being sponsored by the Town of Kennebunk Energy Efficiency Committee.

 

            The discussion part of the program will feature three panelists who will bring their individual perspectives on such things as proposed federal energy legislation,  cap and trade, carbon tax, and the viability of  coal mining, off shore oil drillings, nuclear energy, including nuclear waste storage, and renewable energy.

 

            A film by Mari-Lynn Evans and Phyllis Geller, Coal Country tells of the dramatic struggle around the use of coal, which provides over half the electricity in America. 

 

 Director Peter Horton writes of the film,  "A balanced, sober look at the reality of coal; both the good news and the bad, and the staggering phenomenon that is mountain top mining. It not only reminds you what it takes to turn your lights on, it'll make sure you remember to turn them off when you leave the room."

            

            The filmmakers present working miners, the activists who are battling coal companies in Appalachia, along with coal company officials-all of whom are concerned about jobs and the economy and who believe they are acting responsibly in bringing power to the American people. 

 

Everyone in Coal Country shares a deep love for the land.  However, Mountain Top Removal mining--which has leveled over 500 Appalachian mountains--is tearing them apart.  The film asks: What exactly is behind the promises of  "cheap energy" and "clean coal"?  Are those promises achievable? And at what cost? Are there alternatives to our energy future?

 

            Following the 80-minute film, Sharon Staz, Director of Kennebunk Light and Power, will moderate a panel presentation and discussion on the generation of electricity, emissions, and current legislative energy policy proposals.

 

            Panel members and topics will include the following:

 

**A representative from the utilities' community, who will  speak on the benefits of Cap & Trade and on why clean coal needs to be part of the resource mix for the future.

 

**A representative from the state office of  U.S. Senator Susan Collins, who will talk about proposed CLEAR Act, which Senator Collins is co-sponsoring along with Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington).  The CLEAR Act, Carbon Limits and Energy for American Renewal, takes a cap and dividends approach.

 

**Jennifer Filiault, who is the Northeast Coordinator for CLEAN (Citizens Lead for Energy Action Now), a national group of over 200 member organizations, including  Public Citizen and, in Maine, Physicians for Social Responsibility.  Filiault will talk about CLEAN's current call to action, a strategy to methodically introduce renewable energy technologies in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by the year 2050.

 

            Admission to the presentation is free.  

 

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